HURON — For many years, a handful of family homes along Frank Avenue were the only residences for several blocks, south of 21st Street.

Most of the land west of Frank and south of 21st sat dormant for several years, as projects began and then fizzled. That changed, however, when the City of Huron purchased most of the land in the subdivision, added necessary infrastructure and began to market what became known as the Southtown Development.

“There is no doubt that the building that has taken place is helping with the housing pinch in Huron,” said Ted Haeder, the executive director for Greater Huron Development Corporation, who partners with the City to market properties in the area. “It has helped, but we still have a way to go.”

The barometer that Haeder sees as most telling is the number of houses on the market in the community. “A couple of years ago there were a couple hundred houses for sale,” he notes, “and I think the last time I looked there were only about 40 that were listed. We need more as there are still people moving to Huron or interested in moving to Huron and they still need to find a home.”

Photo by Curt Nettinga/Plainsman - These two twin homes - one completed in the background and the other, in the foreground, nearly finished, are on the northern edge of the Southtown Addition and are built by Todd Smith Construction.

Southtown
The area known as Southtown is a large area, with a mixture of residential structures and lots on the eastern half, while the western half is largely zoned as commercial property. It is bordered by Frank Avenue on the east and Dakota Avenue on the west, with 21st Street and 26th Street providing northern and southern borders, respectively.

It is bisected north/south by Idaho Ave., and east/west by 24th Street. Twenty-second Street runs between Idaho and Frank on the north side of the development. Firehouse Lane loops from, and connects to, 22nd Street. On the south side of Southtown, Elk Run Court is a cul-de-sac north off 26th St., while Fox Run Court does the same south from 24th Street.

These two Governor homes are on the west side of Fireside Drive in the Southtown Addition.

Wheatgrass Village
Wheatgrass Village is a complex that began in 2017, when Sioux Falls’ Steve Boote, who owns Eagle Construction, built a three-story, 72-unit apartment building and added a pair of six-unit town homes on the south side of a 10-acre parcel that had been recently re-zoned by the city. That was Phase I of the company’s plan and, six years later, all of the apartments and the townhomes are occupied. Last year, as the occupation percentage climbed, Phase II at Wheatgrass Village went into effect.

Phase II includes a mirror-image apartment building, several town homes and several new ‘plex’ buildings.

There are four ‘six-plex’ buildings (six two-level residences in a building, with parking below each residence) one ‘five-plex’ and one ‘seven-plex.’ The property owner noted that the seven plex is fully occupied, but that town homes are available, as are apartments in the new building.

Each apartment comes with at least one indoor parking space and the manager was quick to note that there are no HOA (Home Owner Association) fees involved. Renters are responsible for their own gas or electricity.

All of the buildings are wired for internet with service provided through Midcontinent. Wheatgrass Village is pet friendly. Water, sewer and garbage are part of the rent.

As currently shown on the company’s website (silverleafprop.com) prices range from $840 for a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment of 573 square feet to $1,375 for a three-bed, two bath two level residence of 1,220 square feet, with two indoor parking spots on the lower level.

One of the units at Wheatgrass Village, with living space adjacent to garage space for each rental.

Greater Huron Development Corporation (GHDC)
Greater Huron markets the properties owned by the city in the Southtown development, and has more than 40 residential lots available for purchase in the area. Haeder said the organization has placed two Governor’s Houses on lots just north of Wheatgrass, off 22nd Street. The starter homes are ordered and constructed in partnership with the Inmate Training program for the S.D. Dept. of Corrections.

“We have the two houses in place, with foundations poured for attached garages,” Haeder said. “We have plans for two-to-three more, but right now production is about three years out.”

Residential lots are available for purchase throughout the development. Lots start at $20,000 and water and sewer are run to the properties, with all utility and street assessments on the lots are included at no cost to the buyer.

GHDC offers an incentive program that can assist with the down payment for a lot as well as interest-free financing on lot purchases made by those wishing to build. Time frames and limits are available on the organization’s website – greaterhuron.com.

While Wheatgrass Village is the main housing supplier and Greater Huron is the source for residential lots, other construction is taking place as well. One contractor, Todd Smith, built new twin homes on the south side of the development shortly after construction began on Phase I of Wheatgrass Village. He is currently in the process of putting the finishing touches on a second pair of twin homes on the north side of the development.

For information on purchasing a lot in the Southtown Addition, contact Greater Huron Development. Stop at the office of Wheatgrass Village - in the lower level of the original apartment building, for more information on rentals or to tour available units. Contact Todd Smith Construction (605-350-3984) to learn more about purchasing options for twin homes.